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Beginners Pilates Course - Shepherds Bush & Hammersmith

This course is held over 3 comprehensive lessons and includes self-practice homework between lessons, to receive a Certificate of Completion for the course. Suitable for any level of fitness.

Register now for limited spaces (maximum 6 per course) on these next course dates:

Monday 16th November, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 1 of 3)
Monday 23rd November, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 2 of 3)
Monday 30th November, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 3 of 3)

Monday 7th December, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 1 of 3)
Monday 14th December, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 2 of 3)
Monday 21st December, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 3 of 3)

Tuition Rate: £60 per person

Location: Studio at The Happiness Centre

Book Now

Call 020 8749 3792

Book by Email


Beginners Pilates Course

Start with a strong foundation

Objective:

To master the basic techniques of Pilates

Overview:

Many people leap straight into larger Pilates matwork classes without understanding the principles of Pilates. This lack of genuine knowledge about the importance of micro-movements, correct breathing and basic postural techniques can expose you to potential strain, pain or injury in Pilates. Learn the principles of Pilates during this practical course.

You will be encouraged to complete hands-on 'homework' between sessions, in the form of a self-directed lesson at home, to review and practise what you learnt during each of the first 2 lessons. So you'll be getting into healthier habits immediately!

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a body-intelligence approach to improving physical and mental fitness. That’s why it’s so popular with body-aware professionals such as dancers, sports-people, performers, actors / actresses, models and anyone with a genuine interest in maximising their spinal strength, muscle conditioning and overall fitness. The unique combination of exercise techniques in Pilates allows you to understand how your muscle-groups and skeletal system are functioning together, to create either balance or imbalance in the body. Pilates is designed to rebalance the body, bringing it into correct alignment.

Balanced body = wellbeing
Imbalanced body = discomfort, distraction, tension, stress, strain, pain, injury

Attending Pilates classes helps re-train more conscious, body-intelligent postures and movements. It uses controlled movements during classes. The result? Improved spinal strength, correct postural alignment, stronger and more flexible muscles, toned legs, toned stomach muscles, better breathing techniques, fitter body and state of mind.


"It is the mind itself that shapes the body."
Friedrich von Schiller

Your everyday physical movements are either accumulating a natural state of body-balance or imbalance. Which of these physical habits might be unconsciously causing imbalance, discomfort or pain in your body?

Are you accumulating body-imbalance due to:

- How you carry your handbag?
- How you carry your laptop or briefcase?
- How you use your mobile phone?
- How you use your Blackberry?
- How you sit at your desk – chair height, screen height, angle of neck and head?
- How you reach or stretch for things?
- How you type and use your keyboard and mouse?
- How you hold your spine, neck, posture at work – sitting, typing, speaking, walking?
- How you walk in high-heels?
- How you exercise, lift weights, run, walk, sit, sleep?
- Pregnancy and post-natal experiences?

Typical signs of body imbalance are:

- tiredness or irritability
- tension headaches
- sore neck
- shoulder tension
- lower or middle back pain
- elbow or wrist pain
- suffering whiplash, headaches or ongoing pain from physical injury
- suffering pain or discomfort from a sports injury of any kind
- general body tension or recurring pains

What are the main benefits of regular Pilates classes?

  • improved posture
  • naturally stronger spine and back muscles
  • standing and sitting straighter
  • improved concentration from a straighter spine
  • increased flexibility
  • toned legs
  • flatter tummy
  • easier breathing
  • enhanced feelings of well being
  • more energy

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

No prior experience of pilates is required.

Suitable for complete beginners and will boost confidence for joining any open Pilates class. Also ideal for people who have already done some group classes but need a refresher on Pilates principles and correct foundational techniques (sometimes called 'pilates improvers' level).

This course is of particular benefit if you have a recurring injury or are recouperating from a physical injury / operation and need to begin exercising under close supervision. The small group (maximum of 6 per course) means you receive ample personalised attention to your learning needs and can easily ask questions about restorative Pilates exercises most appropriate for your condition.

Injuries are often the result of the body over-using one side of the body, to compensate for a weak side. You’ll become aware if you have a weaker side during the course and learn what you personally need to do to re-balance the body, to reduce accumulation of imbalance that can eventually lead to strain, pain or injury.

Pilates is highly recommended by medical specialists and GPs for helping resolve back / neck problems, combatting osteoporosis, and for office workers who spend extended periods seated, using a computer, laptop and telephone, often resulting in lower - middle back pain (back pain being one of the highest causes of work absences in the UK).

IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE SEEK YOUR GP's ADVICE, IF UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF THIS COURSE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR INJURY, AILMENT OR SITUATION.

"If, at the age of 30, you are stiff and out of shape, you are old.
If, at 60, you are subtle and strong, then you are young."
Joseph Pilates

COURSE FORMAT

Lesson 1

  • History of Pilates
  • Different styles of Pilates
  • Understanding the Basic Principles of Pilates:

      1. Principle 1: importance of breathing in Pilates
      2. Principle 2: pelvic placements
      3. Principle 3: ribcage placements
      4. Principle 4: scapular stabilisation and movement
      5. Principle 5: head and cervical placement

  • Guidelines to practising correctly
  • Use of therabands, straps, blocks, props in Pilates matwork
  • Practising to your ability
  • Homework

Lesson 2

  • Insights from self-practice homework
  • Rewiewing the Basic Principles of Pilates
  • Understand the planes of movement - flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion
  • Introducing the Basic Exercises
  • Building on previous lesson's techniques
  • Practising to your ability
  • Homework

Lesson 3

  • Insights from self-practice homework
  • Building on the Basic Exercises
  • Practising to your ability
  • Developing good habits
  • Taking your Pilates practice forward
  • Completion
"Thorough introduction, personal attention and posture correction.
(The instructor Sophie Oldfield gave) clear, easy-to-understand
instructions, went at an appropriate pace, was friendly and the praise
was appreciated!"
Participant feedback, June 2009

CERTIFICATE

Participants who attend and participate in all 3 modules and complete their self-directed practice homework between sessions, receive a Certificate of Completion from The Happiness Centre, acknowledging successful completion of their Beginners Pilates Course.

COURSE DAYS & TIMES

This practical introduction to Pilates is held over 3 comprehensive lessons. A session or two of Pilates self-practice at home between the first and second lessons is encouraged, to boost discipline and apply what you've learnt.

Next Courses

Monday 17th August, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 1 of 3)
Monday 24th August, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 2 of 3)
Monday 7th September, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 3 of 3)

Monday 5th October, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 1 of 3)
Monday 12th October, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 2 of 3)
Monday 19th October, 6pm – 7.10pm (Lesson 3 of 3)

Tuition Rate

£60 per participant

10% discount when booking 2 people on the same course!

Rate includes handouts, posture guidance notes, Certificate and use of mats and equipment.

Payable by debit/credit card prior to commencement of course.
Register your interest early, as places are limited to 6 participants only per course.

Book Now

Call 020 8749 3792

Book by Email


 

View Studio Schedule for complete list of Pilates classes in Shepherds Bush
or Yoga classes in Shepherds Bush - CLICK HERE

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204 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 7JD
t: 020 8749 3792 e: info@thehappinesscentre.com

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